Automatic Projector Safety Protocols

• US 20150177604A1
• Filed: 12/20/2013
• Published: 06/25/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Plantronics, Inc. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Johnston, Timothy P., Loewenthal, William J. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 9,195,124 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/2053 Intensity control of illuminating light controlled by video signal processing H04N5/74 or H04N9/31
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/2086 Security or safety means in lamp houses
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/16 Human faces, e.g. facial parts, sketches or expressions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0272 for a projector or beamer module assembly constructional features of projectors per se G03B21/00; constructional details of projectors using electronic spatial light modulators per se H04N9/31
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/05 specially adapted for use on head, throat or breast
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/54 including functional features of a projector or beamer module assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3155 for controlling the light source light source control per se H05B35/00 – H05B47/00; control of an illumination source for displays in general G09G3/3406
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3194 including sensor feedback

Abstract

A projector having corresponding methods and computer-readable media comprises a detector configured to detect electromagnetic radiation; and a processor configured to implement a protocol responsive to the detector detecting the electromagnetic radiation, wherein the protocol comprises reducing an intensity of light projected by the projector.

Claims

1. A projector comprising:

a detector configured to detect electromagnetic radiation; and

a processor configured to implement a protocol responsive to the detector detecting the electromagnetic radiation, wherein the protocol comprises reducing an intensity of light projected by the projector.

2. The projector of claim 1, further comprising:

an alert module configured to manifest an alert indication responsive to the detector detecting the electromagnetic radiation.

3. The projector of claim 1, wherein:

the processor implements the protocol only responsive to the light and the electromagnetic radiation having substantially the same wavelength.

4. The projector of claim 1, wherein:

the processor is further configured to determine whether the electromagnetic radiation represents a reflection of the light by a human face; and

the projector implements the protocol only responsive to the processor determining that the electromagnetic radiation represents a reflection of the light by a human face.

5. The projector of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic radiation is first electromagnetic radiation, and wherein the projector further comprises:

an emitter configured to emit second electromagnetic radiation;

wherein the processor implements the protocol only responsive to the first electromagnetic radiation and the second electromagnetic radiation having substantially the same wavelength.

6. The projector of claim 1, further comprising:

an attachment device configured to secure the projector to a user'"'"'s head such that a field of view of the user coincides with a field of projection of the projector.

7. The projector of claim 6, further comprising:

a phone.

8. The projector of claim 7, wherein:

the phone is configured to receive a call; and

the processor is further configured to cause the projector to project an image that represents metadata for the call responsive to the phone receiving the call.

9. A method comprising:

projecting light;

detecting electromagnetic radiation; and

implementing a protocol responsive to detecting the electromagnetic radiation, wherein the protocol comprises reducing an intensity of the light.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

manifesting an alert indication responsive to detecting the electromagnetic radiation.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

implementing the protocol only responsive to the light and the electromagnetic radiation having substantially the same wavelength.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

determining whether the electromagnetic radiation represents a reflection of the light by a human face; and

implementing the protocol only responsive to determining that the electromagnetic radiation represents a reflection of the light by a human face.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the electromagnetic radiation is first electromagnetic radiation, and wherein the method further comprises:

emitting second electromagnetic radiation; and

implementing the protocol only responsive to the first electromagnetic radiation and the second electromagnetic radiation having substantially the same wavelength.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

securing the projector to a user'"'"'s head such that a field of view of the user coincides with a field of projection of the projector.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

receiving a call;

wherein the light creates an image that represents metadata for the call.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

projecting the light responsive to receiving the call.

17. Computer-readable media embodying instructions executable by a computer to perform functions comprising:

causing a projector to project light; and

implementing a protocol responsive to detecting a reflection of the light, wherein the protocol comprises reducing an intensity of the light.

18. The computer-readable media of claim 17, wherein the functions further comprise:

causing manifestation of an alert indication responsive to detecting the reflection.

19. The computer-readable media of claim 17, wherein the functions further comprise:

determining whether the reflection is a reflection of the light by a human face; and

implementing the protocol only responsive to determining the reflection is a reflection of the light by a human face.